TRT side effect help

[Charlesfitstein]

I will try to be brief but I have been struggling to gain any benefits from TRT. I reluctantly started test inject mainly do to cost of other treatments six months ago. I have not seen or felt any positive benefits. My sleep has worsened, sex drive has actually gone done, testicular atrophy set in barely. I went back to my doctor who specializes in hormones and informed him of this. While I was there my estradiol level was high and he tried a natural estrogen blocker supplement that didn’t work and then prescribed Arimidex. At first I noticed a slight improvement, however I developed what I thought was a sweat rash a week or two into using it. Turns out I believe it’s going to be a rash from the Arimidex. I will be going to a dermatologist in several days to confirm, in the meantime my general doctor put me on a strong cream and gave me a shot and it didn’t help the rash at all. I accidentally missed a dose of Arimidex and noticed I wasn’t as itchy, skin rash seemed to start to fade from brought red to brown. Me thinning the meds were finally killing the rash I took my Arimidex and a day later the rash is back and it’s getting worse. I called my hormone doctor and I cannot get in for 7 weeks. The nurse said if I would like to stop or change medications he can do that without a visit though. I am considering stopping Arimidex and test shots and going back to hCG which I never had issues with and stopped simply because of cost. If anyone could shine some light on this and any thing to help with the rash it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Systemlord]

One can usually avoid AI’s by injecting more frequently and lowering the dosage. AI’s can dry out out your skin and dehydrate you if you take too much.

 

[Charlesfitstein]

I inject .5 every four days

 

[Charlesfitstein]

I have no side effects that I’m aware of from the high level of estradiol prior to taking the ai. It just seems nothing has really worked since starting trt

 

[Belekas]

0.5ml E4D is a massive dose for most of the people. I would just go back to the basics and start again just with a 2x lesser dose for example. Say 100mg/per week split E3.5D and no AI's or any other type of stuff. Wouldn't run hCG as well as dialing in test dose alone is a serious and hard work. Get more moving puzzle parts and you're fucked. If you know what I mean. You want to feel good on the lowest dose possible, taking the least amount of different stuff. Try running that for 8-12 weeks, pull labs, see how you feel and go from there. No shortcuts in this game if you want to get dialed in. Hope you push through. Best of luck.

 

[Charlesfitstein]

@Belekas thanks for the info, I will add this to my email to my doctor. To clarify I wasn’t going to run test and hCG, I was going to stop test and go back to hCG. I just felt better on hCG no issues but it’s just about x20 more expensive.

 

[Belekas]

@Belekas thanks for the info, I will add this to my email to my doctor. To clarify I wasn’t going to run test and hCG, I was going to stop test and go back to hCG. I just felt better on hCG no issues but it’s just about x20 more expensive.

You're welcome. I just wouldn't mess with it either and would just go the normal way using a lower test dose. A lot of times less is more. And if it doesn't improve anything with time, proper diet, training and sleeping protocols I would just hang the gloves and go natural and try to get as healthy as possible, but since you shared zero context about yourself, there's not much I can advise.

 

[Systemlord]

I inject .5 every four days

I didn’t respond to TRT injecting further out than every other day or daily., Once and twice I felt nothing even with high numbers. If you’re low on iron, vitamin D etc., response to TRT will be stalled.

A lot of men start out on high dosages, the mentality, is if a little testosterone makes me feel good, more is better, but this is a trap for some men.

 

[Charlesfitstein]

Thanks for all the information, I have stopped testosterone. After stopping my ai the rash and itchiness wasn’t improving and through my own research discovered my rash matched that of some others who were allergic to injections of testosterone. Not sure why it took so long to come out but nevertheless I am 6 days no testosterone and have picked up my hCG. Additionally I scheduled two appointments with two other hormone specialist to gather more info.

 

[Deleted member 16042]

There is not enough information in your story to make good recommendations. It is too vague. You have not posted any before/ after labs. Without knowing your blood levels, your dosage of arimidex etc we are shooting in the dark.

If the testosterone dose you were taking equated to 200mg every 8 days, like Belekas said you were probably just taking too much, and that can cause high E2 symptoms, but lowering dose is potentially a better way to manage that than throwing Arimidex at the problem. And if your doctor prescribes too much Arimidex, it can crash your estrogen levels. That is bad.

So how long were you doing that protocol, and what were your lab results after at least 6-8 weeks on it?

Using a high dose and trying to compensate based on symptoms is folly without having actual lab values for E2, Total T. Free T using LC/MS/MS equilibrium dialysis of calculated SHBG etc. as a minimum.

You also have not stated any time frame for these events.

 

[Charlesfitstein]

There is not enough information in your story to make good recommendations. It is too vague. You have not posted any before/ after labs. Without knowing your blood levels, your dosage of arimidex etc we are shooting in the dark.

If the testosterone dose you were taking equated to 200mg every 8 days, like Belekas said you were probably just taking too much, and that can cause high E2 symptoms, but lowering dose is potentially a better way to manage that than throwing Arimidex at the problem. And if your doctor prescribes too much Arimidex, it can crash your estrogen levels. That is bad.

So how long were you doing that protocol, and what were your lab results after at least 6-8 weeks on it?

Using a high dose and trying to compensate based on symptoms is folly without having actual lab values for E2, Total T. Free T using LC/MS/MS equilibrium dialysis of calculated SHBG etc. as a minimum.

You also have not stated any time frame for these events.

I will answer as much as I can without my labs on hand as I am out of town. Yes, in an 8 day time frame I took 200mg. Before starting my test level was 420 estradiol was in the normal range. After 12 weeks my test was 1013 and estradiol was 71 and I began Arimidex x3 weekly. I have labs done every 12 weeks and I am about 4 weeks post last labs. The rash started on the 9-12 day range of starting Arimidex. I have now been battling the rash for 5 weeks and nothing is helping. I am currently 6 days off the test and 3 days off Arimidex and today was my first hCG injection. I see an endocrinologist in 3 weeks who is going to do a complete hormone pannel. I also spoke to my doctor and he stated he could do the same labs sooner so I may go ahead and do that and at least have some results soon. I also called and had a consult with a hormone trt specialist who isn’t an endocrinologist and they don’t take insurance and are very expensive but stated they would typically prescribe the same test and Arimidex based on the consult.

 

[Deleted member 16042]

I will answer as much as I can without my labs on hand as I am out of town. Yes, in an 8 day time frame I took 200mg. Before starting my test level was 420 estradiol was in the normal range. After 12 weeks my test was 1013 and estradiol was 71 and I began Arimidex x3 weekly. I have labs done every 12 weeks and I am about 4 weeks post last labs. The rash started on the 9-12 day range of starting Arimidex. I have now been battling the rash for 5 weeks and nothing is helping. I am currently 6 days off the test and 3 days off Arimidex and today was my first hCG injection. I see an endocrinologist in 3 weeks who is going to do a complete hormone pannel. I also spoke to my doctor and he stated he could do the same labs sooner so I may go ahead and do that and at least have some results soon. I also called and had a consult with a hormone trt specialist who isn’t an endocrinologist and they don’t take insurance and are very expensive but stated they would typically prescribe the same test and Arimidex based on the consult.

I understand all aspects of your predicaments, but still do not have through enough information to confidently comment except to say 200mg every 8 days is a high dose, commonly problematic, and that arimidex is dangerous. 3x/week? at what amount? It is made as 1mg pills for women with breast cancer to theoretically eliminate their estrogen. Men have only a fraction of that level, and small amounts can crash your estrogen. If you took 3mg in a week I pray for you. We have members who took too much and report their estrogen didn't recover for very long terms.

Not only do we need lab results and normal range for each test, we also need to know what form of test. There are different testing methodologies that are pertinent, like ECLIA vs LC/MS-MS estradiol tests, and numerous versions of free testosterone tests. The more accurately you can report the technical details the better the feedback.

You can order your own tests via the lab tests link at the top of this page. Nelson also often runs discounts for excelmale members. I don't know if that is in effect right now.

I caught your comment on possible allergy to testosterone. You are not allergic to testosterone, but you very well could be allergic to the oil carrier in the injection. Research your particular brand/ source and find out what the oil carrier is, then change to a different product with different carrier oil.

 

[Charlesfitstein]

I have stopped all test, only injecting hCG every 4 days in hopes of kicking some natural production back on. I have never had issues with hCG and may should have never switched to test. Especially since I did it for monetarily reasons only. I was taking testosterone cypinate and I am not sure if I’m allergic to the cotton seed in it or not. I finally found an article where someone else was experiencing similar side effects and the rash took two weeks to dispute. Hopefully in another week I’ll be back to normal with that it’s been pure hell and keeps me up at night.

I take half a pill 3x a week so 1.5mg a week. Honestly I missed a few doses as well. After a few days of no test or Arimidex I’m starting to feel better and even though it’ll be a few weeks before I can do the full pannel for hormones I may go to my family doctor and get a normal blood that’ll show a few hormones and the estradiol levels.

I appreciate all the information as I am completely lost and have to google most of your information.

 

[Charlesfitstein]

I understand all aspects of your predicaments, but still do not have through enough information to confidently comment except to say 200mg every 8 days is a high dose, commonly problematic, and that arimidex is dangerous. 3x/week? at what amount? It is made as 1mg pills for women with breast cancer to theoretically eliminate their estrogen. Men have only a fraction of that level, and small amounts can crash your estrogen. If you took 3mg in a week I pray for you. We have members who took too much and report their estrogen didn't recover for very long terms.

Not only do we need lab results and normal range for each test, we also need to know what form of test. There are different testing methodologies that are pertinent, like ECLIA vs LC/MS-MS estradiol tests, and numerous versions of free testosterone tests. The more accurately you can report the technical details the better the feedback.

You can order your own tests via the lab tests link at the top of this page. Nelson also often runs discounts for excelmale members. I don't know if that is in effect right now.

I caught your comment on possible allergy to testosterone. You are not allergic to testosterone, but you very well could be allergic to the oil carrier in the injection. Research your particular brand/ source and find out what the oil carrier is, then change to a different product with different carrier oil.

Also I’m not trying to omit information, just not sure what’s pertinent. I have to much trust in doctors as I’m completely uneducated in this trt world. My family doctor will literally do anything I ask so if I knew what all to ask for them to run my blood for they will. The reason I haven’t gone to my trt doctor for blood is my family doctor does it for free as my specialist charges 60 bucks which isn’t bad after looking at some of the blood test in this site but it’s also an hour and a half drive each way just to get blood done.

 

[Deleted member 16042]

Also I’m not trying to omit information, just not sure what’s pertinent. I have to much trust in doctors as I’m completely uneducated in this trt world. My family doctor will literally do anything I ask so if I knew what all to ask for them to run my blood for they will. The reason I haven’t gone to my trt doctor for blood is my family doctor does it for free as my specialist charges 60 bucks which isn’t bad after looking at some of the blood test in this site but it’s also an hour and a half drive each way just to get blood done.

Again, I understand. And I am not faulting you, just being honest about trying not to comment inappropriately based on incomplete information

You are lucky to have that relationship with your family doctor. My PCP also orders labs as needed, covered by insurance based on my hormone care by another doctor.

 

[t_spacemonkey]

my e2 is around 70. this is all individual but I do feel great on anything below 100.

 

[EMC13]

I am in the same boat and the I individual that said you aren’t allergic to test is incorrect. I get the same thing with cremes, cypionate or enthanate. It took awile to come on but once it starts it doesn’t go away or takes a very long time. I Never take an AI and I have tried every dose possible. Like you I also respond well to HCG. I’m taking that now to try to get my levels back at least somewhat. If anyone has any advice I’m all ears.

 

[Charlesfitstein]

Again, I understand. And I am not faulting you, just being honest about trying not to comment inappropriately based on incomplete information

You are lucky to have that relationship with your family doctor. My PCP also orders labs as needed, covered by insurance based on my hormone care by another doctor.

If there is anything specific information wise that would be helpful just let me know and I’ll answer it.

I went to a urologist today for unrelated issue and found out he “specializes” in hormones. He thought my plan of stopping all test and ai was a solid plan although he said the 200iu I’m taking every four days should really be taken every other day. Expense wise that just isn’t feasible. We decided to try 100iu every other day for now. He ordered a blood pannel with test iv never had done he called it a pituitary pannel. He wants to wait another week or so to give the ai and test to purge from my system. He suggested taking the hCG 2-4 months then stopping for a month and get another lab work up and see my baseline to better attack the issue. He also stated he’s just a urologist who specializes in hormones relates to sex drive etc. he suggested seeing an endocrinologist because some of my symptoms lead him to believe I could be better served there. I am new to all of this but it just seems all an endocrine doctor would do would be the extended blood pannel followed by a treatment of ai and test. I am still going to go and hear the man out. I was also told endocrinologist have a cookie cutter approach and are afraid to prescribe what’s actually needed aka the good stuff whatever that is?!?! I was led to a vitality clinic for trt and called them they don’t take insurance and from the phone consult sounded like they wouldn’t really change much. Perhaps more knowledgeable people tracking me and more labs would be good but it’s a two hour drive and not covered by insurance.

 

[Charlesfitstein]

I am in the same boat and the I individual that said you aren’t allergic to test is incorrect. I get the same thing with cremes, cypionate or enthanate. It took awile to come on but once it starts it doesn’t go away or takes a very long time. I Never take an AI and I have tried every dose possible. Like you I also respond well to HCG. I’m taking that now to try to get my levels back at least somewhat. If anyone has any advice I’m all ears.

Hate to hear that for you, the urologist I saw today to believed it’s the test but not the test itself but the oil used in it being cotton seed oil.

How long did your rash last once you stopped the test?

I will try to update as much as possible on here since you’re in the same boat.

 

[Charlesfitstein]

my e2 is around 70. this is all individual but I do feel great on anything below 100.

To clarify, your e2 is high and you feel great? I never got gyno or even know what side effects I even have or had with mine being high but what little I know is it’s not good to be High and I got worried. Anything in my labs that’s in bold or red (high) worries me and I try to fix immediately